The 2012 Paralympics begin in London

A wheelchair basketball demonstration by the GB Men’s Under-22 team takes place at St Paul's Cathedral in London, where a service of 'Courage and Faith' was held to mark the opening of the 2012 London Paralympic Games. less

A wheelchair basketball demonstration by the GB Men’s Under-22 team takes place at St Paul's Cathedral in London, where a service of 'Courage and Faith' was held to mark the opening of the 2012 London ... more

Photo: Sean Dempsey / Associated Press

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A swimmer is seen through a porthole viewing window in the Aquatic Center.

A swimmer is seen through a porthole viewing window in the Aquatic Center.

Photo: Lefteris Pitarakis / Associated Press

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A young boy with a hearing impairment waits for the arrival of the Olympic Torch ahead of the start of the London 2012 Paralympic Games.

A young boy with a hearing impairment waits for the arrival of the Olympic Torch ahead of the start of the London 2012 Paralympic Games.

Photo: Warrick Page / Getty Images

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A swimmer warms up in the Aquatic Center.

A swimmer warms up in the Aquatic Center.

Photo: Lefteris Pitarakis / Associated Press

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Members of the Great Britain Women's Wheelchair Basketball team perform during a photocall at St Paul's Cathedral on August 24, 2012 in London, England.

Members of the Great Britain Women's Wheelchair Basketball team perform during a photocall at St Paul's Cathedral on August 24, 2012 in London, England.

Disabled North Korean table tennis players practice at the Taedonggong Cultural Center for the Disabled in Pyongyang, North Korea. North Korea, long accused of shunting its disabled residents off to isolated detention camps, will take part for the first time this year in the Paralympics, which open Aug. 29 in London. less

Disabled North Korean table tennis players practice at the Taedonggong Cultural Center for the Disabled in Pyongyang, North Korea. North Korea, long accused of shunting its disabled residents off to isolated ... more

Photo: David Guttenfelder / Associated Press

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Fiona Duncan, right and Lora Turnham both of Britain, take part in a training session at the velodrome for the women's B individual pursuit cycling track race for the 2012 Paralympics.

Fiona Duncan, right and Lora Turnham both of Britain, take part in a training session at the velodrome for the women's B individual pursuit cycling track race for the 2012 Paralympics.

Photo: Alastair Grant / Associated Press

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Swimmer Christoph Burkard from Germany leaves the swimming pool after his training session at the Aquatic Center.

Swimmer Christoph Burkard from Germany leaves the swimming pool after his training session at the Aquatic Center.

Photo: Emilio Morenatti / Associated Press

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South Africa's Oscar Pistorius during a training session at Mayesbrook Park Arena, Barking, England, Monday Aug. 27, 2012. The 2012 Summer Paralympic Games will be the fourteenth Paralympics and will take place between Aug. 29 to Sept. 9. less

South Africa's Oscar Pistorius during a training session at Mayesbrook Park Arena, Barking, England, Monday Aug. 27, 2012. The 2012 Summer Paralympic Games will be the fourteenth Paralympics and will take ... more

Photo: Chris Radburn / Associated Press

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British swimmers warm up in the Aquatic Center.

British swimmers warm up in the Aquatic Center.

Photo: Lefteris Pitarakis / Associated Press

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Chinese swimmers warm up in the Aquatic Center during a swimming training session ahead of the 2012 Paralympics, Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2012, in London.

Chinese swimmers warm up in the Aquatic Center during a swimming training session ahead of the 2012 Paralympics, Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2012, in London.

Photo: Lefteris Pitarakis / Associated Press

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Brazilian swimmer Daniel Dias, who be will competing in S5 swimming classification races, jokes with photographers as he is seen through an underwater window in the aquatic center. Dias, who was born with malformed upper and lower limbs, won nine medals, including four gold medals, at the Beijing Paralympics, more than any other athlete. less

Brazilian swimmer Daniel Dias, who be will competing in S5 swimming classification races, jokes with photographers as he is seen through an underwater window in the aquatic center. Dias, who was born with ... more

Photo: Matt Dunham / Associated Press

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Rower Oksana Masters from United States arrives at Eton Dorney to take part on her training session ahead of the 2012 Paralympics Olympics.

Rower Oksana Masters from United States arrives at Eton Dorney to take part on her training session ahead of the 2012 Paralympics Olympics.

Photo: Emilio Morenatti / Associated Press

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Swimmers are seen through an underwater window in the aquatic center during a training session before the 2012 Paralympics, Monday, Aug. 27, 2012, in London. The opening ceremony for the Paralympics takes place on Wednesday. less

Swimmers are seen through an underwater window in the aquatic center during a training session before the 2012 Paralympics, Monday, Aug. 27, 2012, in London. The opening ceremony for the Paralympics takes ... more

Photo: Matt Dunham / Associated Press

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The Paralympic flame is carried across London's Tower Bridge.

The Paralympic flame is carried across London's Tower Bridge.

Photo: CARL COURT / AFP/Getty Images

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Members of the Team GB Paralympic attend a welcome ceremony at the Paralympic Village on August 28, 2012 in London, England.

Members of the Team GB Paralympic attend a welcome ceremony at the Paralympic Village on August 28, 2012 in London, England.

Photo: Chris Jackson / Getty Images

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Belgian wheelchair sprinter Marieke Vervoort and dog Zenn arrive on Eurostar at London St. Pancras.

Belgian wheelchair sprinter Marieke Vervoort and dog Zenn arrive on Eurostar at London St. Pancras.

Photo: Mark Allan / Associated Press

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Tim Prendergast (R) and Cameron Leslie (Front 2nd R) of New Zealand Perform the Haka during the New Zealand Flag Raising Ceremony at the Olympic Park on August 27, 2012 in London, England.

Tim Prendergast (R) and Cameron Leslie (Front 2nd R) of New Zealand Perform the Haka during the New Zealand Flag Raising Ceremony at the Olympic Park on August 27, 2012 in London, England.

Photo: Christopher Lee / Getty Images

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Tourists in wheelchairs look toward the Agitos, the logo of the Paralympic movement, hanging from Tower Bridge in London on August 24, 2012 ahead of the start of the London 2012 Paralympic Games that begin on August 29, 2012. less

Tourists in wheelchairs look toward the Agitos, the logo of the Paralympic movement, hanging from Tower Bridge in London on August 24, 2012 ahead of the start of the London 2012 Paralympic Games that begin on ... more

Photo: WILL OLIVER / AFP/Getty Images

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Members of the public were invited to try wheelchair basketball outside St Paul's Cathedral in London, where a service of 'Courage and Faith' was held to mark the opening of the 2012 London Paralympic Games, Sunday Aug. 26, 2012. less

Members of the public were invited to try wheelchair basketball outside St Paul's Cathedral in London, where a service of 'Courage and Faith' was held to mark the opening of the 2012 London Paralympic Games, ... more

Photo: Sean Dempsey / Associated Press

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Brazilian swimmer Daniel Dias, left, who be will competing in S5 swimming classification races, packs away to leave after a training session before the 2012 Paralympics, Monday, Aug. 27, 2012, in London. Dias, who was born with malformed upper and lower limbs, won nine medals, including four gold medals, at the Beijing Paralympics, more than any other athlete. less

Brazilian swimmer Daniel Dias, left, who be will competing in S5 swimming classification races, packs away to leave after a training session before the 2012 Paralympics, Monday, Aug. 27, 2012, in London. ... more

Photo: Matt Dunham / Associated Press

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A general view of Olympic Stadium ahead of the London 2012 Paralympic Games on August 28, 2012 in London, England.

A general view of Olympic Stadium ahead of the London 2012 Paralympic Games on August 28, 2012 in London, England.

Photo: Mike Ehrmann / Getty Images

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A swimmer trains in the Aquatic Center.

A swimmer trains in the Aquatic Center.

Photo: Lefteris Pitarakis / Associated Press

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An aircraft trails fireworks to herald the start the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Paralympics at the Olympic Stadium on August 29, 2012 in London, England.

An aircraft trails fireworks to herald the start the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Paralympics at the Olympic Stadium on August 29, 2012 in London, England.

Photo: Peter Macdiarmid / Getty Images

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British scientist Stephen Hawking appears during the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Paralympic Games at the Olympic Stadium in east London on August 29, 2012.

British scientist Stephen Hawking appears during the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Paralympic Games at the Olympic Stadium in east London on August 29, 2012.

Photo: LEON NEAL / AFP/Getty Images

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Performers throng the arena during the Opening Ceremony for the 2012 Paralympics in London, Wednesday Aug. 29, 2012.

Performers throng the arena during the Opening Ceremony for the 2012 Paralympics in London, Wednesday Aug. 29, 2012.

Photo: Kirsty Wigglesworth / Associated Press

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Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge look on during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Paralympics at the Olympic Stadium on August 29, 2012 in London, England.

Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge look on during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Paralympics at the Olympic Stadium on August 29, 2012 in London, England.

Photo: Chris Jackson / Getty Images

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The 2012 Paralympics begin in London

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If the end of the Summer Olympics left a void in your heart, there’s something new to take its place: the Paralympics.